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By jieriiiissioii of 

Courtney Studio 



The Life of 

William McKinley 

Twenty-fifth President 
of the 

United States 

By 
Jane Elliott Snow 

Author of "Women of Tennyson" 
and " Coates Family History " 




Clevelan d 

The Gardner Printing Company 

8t;r imtirrial PrrsB 

1908 



This edition is limited 
This book " ^o. 



/• 



[lIBR'^RY of CONGRESS 

Two Ooi);es Received 

i DEC 12 



Copy runt tntry ^ 



COi 



J 



y 



Copyright by 

Jane Elliott Snow 

1908 



* • I 



To Miss Annie C. Qranger 

of the Cleveland Public Library^, whose helpful 
suggestions aided me in my work, this little 
volume is affectionately inscribed. 

The Author 



Contents 

Chapter Page 

I A Retrospect 13 

II Ancestry of William McKinley . . 15 

III Birth and Parentage . . . . 19 

IV Boyhood 22 

V School Life 27 

VI Soldier Life 33 

VII Choosing a Profession .... 38 

VIII Political Principles 43 

IX Marriage — Domestic Life ... 46 

X Member of Congress .... 50 

XI Governor of Ohio 53 

XII President of the United States . . . 56 1^ 

XIII President's Day 65 

XIV A Nation's Loss 69 

XV Obsequies 7Z 

XVI Extracts from Public Speeches . . 79 

XVII Opinions of Noted Men .... 89 

Favorite Hymns 91 

In Memoriam 96 



Preface 

My excuse for placing this brief biography 
of the late President McKinley before the 
public is that there is a demand for just such 
a work. 

While there are several extended biogra- 
phies and a multitude of articles to which 
students can refer, the need of a brief account 
adapted to youth, and suitable for school 
work in preparation for McKinley Day exer- 
cises, still exists; so I have endeavored to 
relate the main facts in the life of William 
McKinley, and have selected a few incidents 
in his life, hoping that they may prove an 
inspiration to many a boy to emulate that 
high and noble example. 

J. E. S. 



Books Consulted 

"Life of William McKinley," by Robert P. Porter. 

"Life of William McKinley," A. K. McClure and Chas. 
Morris, LL.D. 

"William McKinley," J. A. Shawan. 

Munsey's Magazine, November 1901. 

Memorial Address, John Hay. 



This book has the approval of the following Cleveland 
people : 

Chas. Orr, Director of Schools. 

William Richardson, A.M., Ph. D. 

Rev. John Fisher, Superintendent of Children's Industrial 
School and Home. 

Mrs. Elroy M. Avery, Editor National Magazine, D. A. R. 

Sarah K. Bolton, author of many books. 

Mary S. Bradford, patron of Art and Letters. 

A. E. Hyre, Secretary Cleveland Chamber of Industry. 

The two McKinley sisters, Mrs. A. R. Duncan and Helen 
McKinley, also a niece, Mrs. Chas. R. Miller. 



\A/^illiam McKinley 

(Jan. 29, 1843 — Sept. 14, 1901) 

He wore no formidable panoply. 

His shield was faith; his breast-plate righteousness. 

The brotherhood of man did he confess 
By love that thinks no evil — charity. 
This quality confers supremacy. 

In fortitude, in gentle manliness, 

He had been great e'en were his station less; 
And yet his outstretched hand met perfidy. 

Alas, O Land of Liberty for thee 

When dastards seek for victims such as he. 
But say not he is dead ; His spirit passed 
Into a heritage of rest; at last 

This boon was gained for which our chieftain sighed. 

He is immortal. Say not that he died. 

— Mary E. M. Richardson. 



CHAPTER I 
A Retrospect 

Late in the afternoon of September 6, 190 1, 
L wave of sorrow swept over this country so 
ntense that words fail to describe its effect 
ipon the people. This was caused by the 
eport wired far and near that President 
VlcKinley, while holding a reception in the 
remple of Music on the grounds of the Pan- 
\.merican Exposition, at Buffalo, New York, 
lad received from the hands of an assassin 
L wound which it was feared would prove 
nortal. 

" Alas for our country, if these things must 
►e ! " was the agonized cry that went up from 
housands of loyal patriotic hearts. 

Within the lifetime of multitudes of people 
hen living, two Presidents, Abraham Lin- 
oln and James A. Garfield, had fallen by 
he hands of assassins. 

And now must the third, one to whom the 
yes of the Nation were then devotedly 
urned, meet with the same cruel fate? 

When Abraham Lincoln was stricken 



14 Life of William McKinley 

down, the Nation had just emerged from a 
civil war of four years' duration. The pas- 
sions engendered by that long struggle had 
scarcely time to abate. 

James A. Garfield came to the presidency 
amid the throes of bitter partisan strife. 
Either of these conditions might lead think- 
ing people to fear some dreadful tragedy at 
the hands of a misguided, brutal avenger. 

But at no time in the history of the country 
did the " dove of peace " seem to hover nearer 
to the earth than during the summer when 
the Pan-American Exposition was in prog- 
ress, and when everything connected with it 
breathed harmony and joy. 

No man ever sat in a high place who was 
of a more kindly nature or freer from enmity 
of his fellow men than William McKinley. 

Only the day before he received his death 
wound he had commanded the attention and 
respect of the whole world by delivering an 
address in favor of viniversal peace and 
harmony. 

His whole life was a benediction — a 
blessing. 



CHAPTER II 
Ancestry of William McKinley 

The question of ancestry does not occupy 
a very large place in the minds of many 
people. They are far more interested in 
what a man is today than in what his father 
DT his grandfather was. And yet, oft times, 
if these forebears had not been worthy their 
:hildren would not have become either great 
3r good. 

The family of William McKinley came 
originally from Scotland. The Scotch are 
imong the best people in the world. They 
possess certain superior traits of character, 
aich as virtue, honesty, truthfulness; and 
hese combined with habits of industry make 
hem always and everywhere good and useful 
:itizens. 

Some two or three centuries ago there was 
I great deal of trouble in Scotland, growing 
)ut of religious questions. In America people 
lave been so long accustomed to seeing the 
nembers of different churches and religious 



16 Life of William McKinley 

creeds living together in peace and harmony 
that they Httle reahze what dreadful things 
once happened among men who differed on 
these questions. There were wars, imprison- 
ments, burnings at the stake, and beheadings 
were not uncommon. 

These were the conditions in Scotland at 
the time of which I write. 

The fact, perhaps, that the Scotch were a 
people of strong character, ready to fight and 
even to die for their religious faith, greatly 
aggravated their troubles, so that the coun- 
try became a very unsafe place in which 
to live. 

As a result many people left Scotland, pre- 
ferring exile and peace in a foreign land to 
war with all its attendant evils at home. 

Ireland then afforded a safe refuge for 
many families, among them being one named 
McKinley. 

In the Emerald Isle the McKinleys lived 
for many years. Here children lived to be- 
come men and women, and here some of 
them grew old and died. 

About the middle of the eighteenth cen- 



Life of William McKinley 17 

tury many stories reached Ireland of the 
prosperity of the British colonies in the New 
World, and many people sailed away to find 
homes in that far-away land. Among these 
emigrants were two brothers named James 
and William McKinley. William settled in 
the South, and James in the North — in York 
county, Pennsylvania. 

A son of James named David fought under 
Washington in the war of the Revolution. 
David in turn had a son named James who 
was a soldier in the war of 1812, and also in 
the Indian wars which came a few years 
later. 

He served under General Harrison and 
fought at the battle of Tippecanoe. 

As this last named James was the grand- 
father of the late President William Mc- 
Kinley, it will readily be seen that he was of 
patriotic ancestry, and doubtless the mantle 
of those ancestors fell upon his shoulders and 
helped in many ways to make him the noble 
citizen that he became. 

It was while marching with General Har- 
rison to and fro through Ohio that James 



18 jjife of William McKinley 

McKinley first realized the great possibilities 
of that state as a future home. Thus it 
came about that he settled in Crawford 
county, and his descendants found homes 
in that vicinity. 



CHAPTER III 
Birth and Parentage 

On the 29th day of January, 1843, i^ ^ 
plain, old-fashioned frame house in Niles, 
Ohio, a little boy who was destined for a 
great career was given to his home and 
country. 

This little boy was named after his father, 
and until the close of the Civil war, when he 
was brevetted Major by President Lincoln, 
was known as William McKinley, Jr. 

His father was the eldest son of James 
McKinley, last mentioned in the preceding 
chapter. He was a pioneer in the iron indus- 
try of Ohio, and built about thirty foundries 
in the eastern counties of that state. This 
fact possibly had something to do with the 
son's political policy in after life. 

The mother, Nancy Allison, was a farmer's 
daughter, who, like Priscilla, of whom Long- 
fellow sang, made the 

" Humble house and modest apparel of homespun 
Beautiful with her beauty, 
And rich with the wealth of her being." 



20 Life of William McKinley 

To this woman was given a long life. And 
she filled that life with deeds of love and 
usefulness. Her home and family were the 
objects of her dearest affection and untiring 
devotion. 

Both parents were frugal and industrious, 
and their home was always one of comfort, 
if not of luxury. Their children, too, were 
early trained to habits of thrift and industry. 
They were also taught to prize truth and 
honor above all things else. 

William McKinley was one of a large 
family. There were six brothers and sisters 
older than he, all living at the time of his 
birth. Their names were as follows: David, 
Anna, James, Mary, Helen, and Sarah. There 
were also two younger: Abba Celia and 
Abner. But two of these are now living, 
Helen and Sarah. Sarah is Mrs. A. J. Dun- 
can of Cleveland, Ohio, and her sister Helen, 
who is unmarried, lives with her. 

When people become famous, old neigh- 
bors and friends are wont to relate remark- 
able incidents in connection with their in- 
fancy and childhood. 



Life of William, McKinley 21 



The newspapers recently gave account of 
one woman who said she rocked President 
McKinley when in the cradle, and that even 
then he was such a "striking'' child that she 
prophesied he would live to be President. 
But the same has been said of hundreds of 
bright boys, which only goes to show the 
grand possibilities within the reach of every 
bright American youth. 



CHAPTER IV 
Boyhood 

" A boy is a boy and a boy let him be, 
For the season of boyhood 's a span ; 
And the heart that now beats with gladness and glee 
Soon will ache with the cares of a man." 

In fancy we can picture the boyhood of 
WilHam McKinley not different, perhaps, 
from that of other boys. It is said that he 
was fond of all healthful outdoor sports and 
games; and it may be presumed that he 
played ball, rolled marbles, and tried his skill 
at flying kites. 

In winter when the streams and ponds 
were frozen over, skating was a favorite pas- 
time. Skates were a luxury in those days, 
and William McKinley's first pair were 
home-made; that is, they were made by a 
blacksmith who lived near by. These skates 
were shared by himself and two of his 
schoolmates, and each took his turn skating 
on them. 

When spring came, the boys would go 
fishing. The two would often get weary 



Life of William McKinley 23 

waiting for a bite and throw down their Hnes 
and rods and jump into the water for a bath 
or swim. But WilHam, more patient than 
they, sat still until he was rewarded with a 
good string of fish to carry home. 

At this time his personal appearance is 
described by an old resident at Niles as fol- 
lows : '' He was black-haired, grave-faced, 
but robust, and a manly little chap." 

Though fond of sport he was no idler in 
work, and no dullard at books. His school 
work even when a boy was so excellent that 
great things were prophesied of him. 

William was the one usually called upon 
to do chores about the house, or to run 
errands, ''because," said his mother, "he 
seemed always so pleased to help me." 

He seems to have had a gift for making 
friends even when a boy, for he was a general 
favorite with his schoolmates. If he excelled 
them in his studies, there was more of re- 
joicing than envy in their feelings toward 
him. 

This gift for making friends must have 
grown with his years and strengthened with 



24 i£/e o/ William McKinley 



his strength, for no man ever had stronger 
personal friends than President McKinley. 
One striking instance of this was the loyalty 
and devotion of the Hon. Marcus A. Hanna, 
v\^ho in times of ill fortune, as well as good 
fortune, was ever his fast friend. 

Even President McKinley's political op- 
ponents liked him personally. 

Everything points to the fact that the boy 
life of William McKinley, Jr., was a happy 
one. It was 

" With books, or work, or healthful play 
His first years were passed, 
And thus he gave for every day 
A good account at last." 

The author recently interviewed Mrs. 
Duncan in regard to her mother's ways of 
managing her family. Mrs. Duncan says: 

" I never knew my mother to speak a cross 
word, but she had a way of speaking so that 
the children knew they must mind. She 
ruled by love and not by fear. 

" My mother was a devout woman, and if 
anything troubled her she took it to the Lord 
in prayer. 



Life of William, McKinley 25 

'* She believed in regular hours for the 
children, and until they were eight or ten 
years old they went to bed by seven o'clock 
in the evening. 

"The children also had regular hours for 
study through their school years. One hour 
in the morning was usually devoted to study, 
besides some time each evening. 

'' We also had a very pretty custom which 
continued for many years, and that was, each 
evening we all gathered in the family sitting- 
room and spent one hour reading aloud from 
some good book. We each took our turn 
reading aloud. 

" Every child was taught some useful work. 
It was my duty after each meal to carry the 
silver from the dining-room table to the 
kitchen. We never kept more than one ser- 
vant, and there was a large family and much 
to do. On Saturday some extra work was 
planned for each of us." 

"What were the duties of your brother 
William on those days?" I asked. 

" He usually would cut or saw wood, pre- 
pare kindlings for the coming week, or do 



26 Life of William McKinley 

anything in the way of Hght work that was 
needed. 

'' My brother was always thoughtful for 
his mother and sisters. When a Httle boy he 
was wilHng to help them, and through life 
he studied their comfort and happiness." 



CHAPTER V 
School Life 

After passing through the grammar and 
high schools at Niles, WilHam McKinley 
moved with his parents to Poland, a town a 
few miles distant, where there was an acad- 
emy, which he at once entered. 

He was a hard student, with a natural 
taste for argument and oratory, and he 
always took advantage of the literary clubs 
where he lived. 

He was at one time president of the 
Edward Everett Society, a literary club at 
Poland. 

The part he took in the debates at these 
clubs helped him in after life to discuss 
readily, and without notes, questions of 
national importance, before large public 
audiences. 

So thorough was he in his studies that at 
the age of sixteen he was able to enter, as 
junior, Allegheny College, Meadville, Penn- 
sylvania, two years of college work having 



28 lAfe of William McKinley 

been completed in the high school and 
academy. 

Poor health soon obliged him to abandon 
his studies and to return home. 

The reader can possibly imagine the 
youthful William spending the few weeks 
of his convalescence in rambles about his 
native town, and in visits to his cousins and 
near friends. They can readily imagine, too, 
that he was everywhere welcome because he 
was so cheerful, genial and intelligent. 

The McKinley families were very fond of 
one another. They delighted in being to- 
gether, and such days as Thanksgiving, 
Christmas and other special anniversaries 
were spent by them all in some one of their 
homes. Such customs are indeed beautiful, 
and can but exert a helpful influence over 
those who participate in them. 

On regaining his health William McKinley 
looked about for some occupation that would 
enable him to be at least self-supporting. 

School teaching in those days was a favor- 
ite pursuit of young men of education and 
push, and he was soon thus employed. 



Life of William McKinley 29 

His first school was near Poland, with a 
salary of twenty-five dollars per month, and 
he boarded round in the families of his 
pupils. 

He was thus occupied when Fort Sumter 
was fired upon and Lincoln issued his first 
call for volunteers. 

From what has been said of William Mc- 
Kinley's school life it will be seen that he 
diligently improved every opportunity for 
an education. His home life was a great 
help to him in this respect. His family be- 
lieved in education, and the parents moved 
to Poland that all the children might have 
the superior advantages there offered them. 

William McKinley, Sr., was a broad- 
minded, well-read man, and he always kept 
his family well supplied with good books and 
magazines. As these accumulated and were 
read they were stored in the garret, and as 
a result the garret became a favorite resort 
for the youthful William, especially on the 
eve of some debate in which he was to take 
part. 

It was no uncommon occurrence for the 



30 lAfe of William McKinley 

children to inquire on their return from 
school, ''Where is William?" and for their 
mother to reply, " He is up in the garret, I 
think, looking over those old books; you 
know he takes part in the debate tomorrow." 
His father's good memory was often a great 
help in his lyceum work, for he could tell 
him just to what book or magazine to refer 
for a certain subject. 

As William McKinley, Jr., grew older he 
became more and more impressed with the 
importance of an education, and no man per- 
haps ever lived who prized more highly our 
public school system than he. 

In one of his addresses given later in life 
he said that the open schoolhouse, free to all, 
was better than garrisons and guns, and 
fleets and forts. 

He also said that no child should feel bad 
if he is not so well clad as his more fortunate 
schoolmates. That the poor and shabbily 
dressed boy with clean face and clear head 
who takes advantage of the public schools 
will win his way against all opposition; that 
what one gains with his conscience, and brain 



Life of William McKinley 31 

and mind, no one can take from him; that 
the time to acquire the rudiments of an edu- 
cation is when one is young; that no man 
learns to spell after he is forty; and that only 
a limited few learn to read and write after 
that age; that an education is more highly 
to be prized than earthly crowns, or riches 
quickly won by some fortunate speculation. 

When William McKinley was ten years 
old he united with the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and he retained his membership 
in that church through life. In his youth he 
was a regular attendant at Sunday-school 
and Bible classes. Indeed, he was a great 
Bible student always, and it was noticeable 
that no political campaign was ever so ab- 
sorbing nor any cares of state so heavy as 
to make him forget to go to church when the 
proper time came. 

His example in this respect was remark- 
able. He made no display about going to 
church; he simply went. His example was 
felt for good by his boyhood friends, by his 
political friends, by his family, and by all his 
immediate associates. His exemplary life. 



^2 ijife of William McKinley 



and his beautiful Christian death, have with- 
out question done more to place the whole 
Christian church in a favorable light than 
scores of most able sermons could possi- 
bly do. 



CHAPTER VI 
Soldier Life 

William McKinley enlisted in June, 1861, 
in the Twenty-third regiment of Ohio Vol- 
unteers for the three-years' service. He was 
mustered in by General Fremont, who was 
favorably impressed with the young man's 
appearance, and made him very happy by 
personal examination and speaking to him 
in a kindly, encouraging way. 

He enlisted as a private soldier and so 
served for ten months. During these months, 
he, with his fellow soldiers, experienced some 
fighting and suffered great hardships. The 
field of their operations was the mountain 
regions of eastern Kentucky and western 
V irginia. They were exposed for weeks to 
almost incessant rains and often suffered for 
want of food. 

Of William McKinley's life as a soldier, 
Ex-President Hayes once said: "When bat- 
tles were to be fought or service was to be 



34 Life of William McKinley 

performed in warlike things, he always took 
his place. The night was never too dark; 
the weather never too cold; there was no 
sleet or storm or hail or snow or rain that 
was in the way of his prompt and efficient 
performance of every duty." 

On the 19th of April, 1862, he was ap- 
pointed commissary sergeant, and the fol- 
lowing September, for thoughtful and kindly 
action in the battle of Antietam, he was pro- 
moted to the rank of first lieutenant. This 
incident is described by General J. L. Bots- 
ford, an eye witness, as follows: 

" It was nearly dark when we heard tre- 
mendous cheering from the left of our regi- 
ment. As we had been having heavy fighting 
up to this time, our division commander, 
General Seaman, sent me to find out the 
cause. I very soon learned that the cheering 
was for McKinley and his hot cofTee. You 
can readily imagine the rousing welcome he 
received from both officers and men. 

" When you consider the fact of his leaving 
his post of security and driving into the 
midst of a bloody battle with a team of mules, 



Life of William McKinley 35 

it needs no words of mine to show the char- 
acter and determination of McKinley, a boy 
not twenty years of age. McKinley loaded 
two wagons with supplies, but the mules of 
one wagon were disabled. He was ordered 
back again and again, but he pushed right 
on." 

Ex-President Hayes also said: ''That bat- 
tle (Antietam) began at daylight. Before 
daylight men were in the ranks preparing 
for it. Without breakfast, without coffee, 
they went into the fight, which continued 
until after the sun had set. Early in the 
afternoon, naturally enough, with the exer- 
tion required of the men, they were famished 
and thirsty and to some extent broken in 
spirit. The commissary department of that 
brigade was under Sergeant McKinley's 
administration and personal supervision. 
From his hands every man in the regiment 
was served with hot coffee and warm meats, 
a thing that had never occurred under similar 
circumstances in any other army in the 
world. He passed under fire and delivered 
with his own hands these things so essential 



^6 Life of William McKinley 

for the men whom he was seeking to 
relieve." 

The years have but intensified the grati- 
tude of the people for this act, and a monu- 
ment in honor of it has been placed on the 
battle-ground of Antietam. 

At the time of the defeat at Kernstown 
he wished to spare the feelings of an aged 
Quaker lady, who stood weeping at her gate 
in Winchester, as the Union soldiers passed 
in hasty retreat through the town. It was 
evident that her grief was for them, yet she 
did not dare to manifest it too plainly on 
account of those about her. The young 
soldier at once divined the situation and rein- 
ing his horse near her said in a low voice: 
'' Don't worry, my dear madam, we are not 
hurt so much as it seems, and we shall be 
back here again in a few days." 

William McKinley continued in active ser- 
vice throughout the war; he was in more 
than thirty battles and skirmishes, and was 
on the staffs of Generals Hayes, Hancock, 
Cook and Carroll, respectively. For gallant 
conduct at the battle of Kernstown, July 24, 



JLife of William McKinley 37 

1864, he was promoted to the rank of captain, 
and at the close of the war was, as already 
stated, appointed brevet major by President 
Lincoln. 

The commission read: "For gallant and 
meritorious services at the battles of Ope- 
quam. Cedar Creek, and Fisher's Hill. — A. 
Lincoln." 



CHAPTER VII 
Choosing a Profession 

" Let a man then know his own worth." 

— Emerson. 

When the war closed, Major McKinley 
was but twenty-two years old. He had given 
four of the best years of his life to the service 
of his country and had made a brilliant 
record as a patriot and soldier. But peace 
had come and it was now necessary for him 
to prepare himself for some useful vocation 
whereby he could gain a livelihood. 

He chose the profession of law, and en- 
tered as student the office of Judge Chas. E. 
Glidden, of Trumbull county, where he re- 
mained two vears. Thence he went to the 
law school at Albany, New York, from which 
he graduated in 1867. 

In his legal studies, as w^ell as those in the 
high school and college of an earlier day, he 
was greatly aided by his sister Anna, who 
was for many years a teacher. On this ac- 
count, perhaps, she felt more keenly the 



Life of William McKinley 39 

importance of an education than the other 
members of the family. Anna encouraged 
him in every way to continue his studies 
until success crowned his efforts. 

His devoted sister ever retained a warm 
place in his heart. Indeed it was owing to 
the fact of her teaching in the public schools 
of Canton, Ohio, that he chose that city as 
a field for the practice of his profession. 

From this time Canton was his home until 
his death. His official residence in Wash- 
ington was only a passing incident in his life. 

With William McKinley's natural taste 
for public speaking he easily drifted into 
politics. 

His first public speech was at New Berlin, 
Ohio. He was then twenty-four years old. 
His rostrum was a dry-goods box, and it 
stood near the steps of a tavern. 

Michael Bitzer, chairman of the meeting, 
thus described the speaker many years later: 

" For nearly an hour he talked as never a 
young man in Stark county had talked be- 
fore. His strong personality and his kindly 
manner were noticed by the people of New 



40 Life of William McKinley 

Berlin. His hearty hand-shake, his pleasant 
smile, were in evidence and only waiting for 
opportunity and strength of purpose to 
develop them/' 

This was in 1867, and two years later he 
had hecome well known as a rising young 
lawyer and speaker of thoughtful force. 

In 1869 he was elected to the office of dis- 
trict prosecuting attorney of Stark county, 
which he held for two years. This was not 
a lucrative position, but it helped him in his 
legal profession and prepared the way for 
something better. 

During the years immediately following 
he applied himself diligently to his profes- 
sion. It was during these years, too, that 
his political principles became well defined. 

Though firm in his own convictions as to 
what was right, he was ever thoughtful for 
the feelings of his political opponents, as the 
following will show. 

Upon one occasion he was to address a 
political meeting in the town of K — , in 
N(^rthern Ohio. 

A gentleman of the opposite party who 



Life of waiiam McKinley 41 

was prominent in the town, and who thought 
that Mr. McKinley could speak well on only 
one subject, the tariff, proposed that instead 
of a speech there should be a joint debate 
between himself and the gifted orator on the 
Republican side. To this the management 
consented provided Mr. McKinley would 
have no objections. On the latter's arrival 
he found a full house, and much enthusiasm 
over his presence. When informed of the 
proposition for a debate he was not at all 
disconcerted, but replied in his happiest man- 
ner: "Certainly, certainly, only let the gen- 
tleman speak first, and I will follow." 

The '' gentleman " spoke first and at great 
length, and Mr. McKinley listened atten- 
tively through it all. At the close he was at 
once introduced to the audience, which 
greeted him with a succession of rousing 
cheers. He first paid the speaker a compli- 
ment for the ability with which he presented 
his arguments, and then proceeded to answer 
them one by one in such a masterly manner 
that even his political opponents were de- 
lighted. 



42 lAfe of William McKinley 



It is needless to add that Mr. McKinley 
was the hero of the evening, and the "oppo- 
nents " as well as friends were convinced that 
he could speak well upon other subjects than 
the tariff. 



CHAPTER VIII 
Political Principles 

William McKinley believed in protecting 
American labor. He believed that the more 
things the people of America could make the 
better it would be for the country. 

He said that if the people could make 
everything they need and not buy anything 
in foreign markets there w^ould be no idle 
men in the country, and every man would 
be well paid for his labor. 

Not every one believed as he did, and he 
delivered a great many speeches and ad- 
dresses in his endeavor to convince the 
people that he was right. 

He made a thorough study of labor condi- 
tions in this country and in other countries. 
He knew just what a man would be paid for 
doing a piece of work in this country, and 
what he would be paid for doing the same 
piece of work in England, or France, or 
Germany, or Russia. 



44 lAfe of William McKinley 

As a result he became the great champion 
of protection for American industries. 

Partly because he so believed and so 
taught he was seven times chosen represent- 
ative in Congress, twice made governor of 
Ohio, and twice elected president of the 
United States. 

He believed not only in the protection of 
American industries, but in sound money as 
well. In one of his speeches he said: ''My 
fellow citizens, there is one thing which this 
country cannot afford to trifle with, and that 
is its currency, its measure of value, the 
money which passes among the people in 
return for their land or for their toil. 

" The money of this country should be as 
national as its flag, as sacred as the national 
honor, and as sound as the government itself. 

" That is the kind of money which it is the 
paramount interest of every citizen of this 
country, no matter to what political party he 
may belong, to strive to maintain and con- 
tinue." 

He believed, too, in the sacredness of the 
ballot box. The following is what he says 



Life of Willium McKinley 45 

of it : '' We cannot afford to break down a 
single safeguard which has been thrown 
around the ballot box. Every guaranty must 
be kept and maintained. Fair-minded people 
everywhere are interested in honest elec- 
tions. It is not a partisan measure; it falls 
alike on all political parties. The law recog- 
nizes no political creed, and those who exe- 
cute it should carefully obey its letter and 
spirit. It protects Democrats and Republi- 
cans and men of all parties alike.'' 

While William McKinley believed in a 
protective tariff and championed American 
industries, he also favored reciprocity — a 
mutual exchange of commodities between 
nations. Of this he says: ''We should sell 
wherever we can, and buy wherever the buy- 
ing will enlarge our sales and productions 
and thereby make a greater demand for 
home labor. 

" Reciprocity treaties are in harmony with 
the spirit of the times." 



< 



CHAPTER IX 
Marriage — Domestic Life 

On January 25, 1871, William McKinley 
was united in marriage to Miss Ida M., 
daughter of James A. Saxton, a man of 
wealth and prominence in Canton. 

The bride was a lady of rare gifts of mind 
and heart. She had been educated in the 
best private schools of the country and had 
enjoyed the advantages of extensive travel 
in Europe. 

But even with these advantages, that she 
might be able to support herself, should 
occasion require, she entered her father's 
bank and served for a time as cashier. This 
position she filled most acceptably. Mean- 
time she was active in Sunday-school work 
and in that capacity was able to exercise a 
lasting influence for good over her pupils. 

It is not always that successful public men 
have a happy home life, but that of Mr. and 
Mrs. McKinley was ideal. 

Two children came to bless their home, 



lAJe of William McKinley 47 

but only for a short time. This was indeed 
a great sorrow to them, for both were fond 
of children, and through their public career 
it was no uncommon thing for them to stop 
their carriage to talk with some child in the 
street, no matter how poorly that child might 
be clad. 

With the loss of the children came poor 
health to Mrs. McKinley, and from that time 
on she was an invalid. How she was cared 
for by her husband is a story well known to 
the world. Says one writer : ''The devotion 
of this man and woman was a theme of com- 
ment for many years. On the part of Mrs. 
McKinley there was a constant, tender and 
adoring love for the man who won such great 
success. On his part there was a lifetime of 
unselfish devotion to a gentle, feeble invalid.'' 

In the agony of his death wound his 
thought was for her. " Be careful about my 
wife, do not tell her," he said. 

Not only was Mr. McKinley a devoted 
husband but he was a dutiful son, and the 
aged mother shared with the wife his tender- 
est solicitude. 



48 Liife of Williafn McKinley 

During the years of his poHtical triumphs 
it was to the wife and the mother that he 
first imparted the glad news of his success. 
And while burdened with the cares of state, 
President McKinley never forgot the loved 
ones at home. 

On receiving news of his mother's last ill- 
ness he repaired at once to her bedside and 
there remained until all was over. 

In the character of this great man were 
happily blended the gentler traits with those 
of strength, firmness and decision. 

The following from a newspaper clipping 
shows what Mrs. McKinley was in those 
happy days when her husband was the most 
distinguished man in the country: 

"She delights to have children call upon 
her, and takes especial pleasure in placing 
her arms about them and chatting in a 
charming, yet natural way. Next to her love 
for children is her fondness for flowers. Her 
favorites are pink roses, and it is seldom that 
she does not have them near her. She has 
no pets, probably because of her infirmity, 
and because she has had but few years of real 



Life o, William, McKinley 49 

home life. Music delights her, but she does 
not play, although in her girlhood days she 
both played and sang. Art and statuary 
attract her and she has made a good col- 
lection." 

The last few years of Mrs. McKinley's life 
were spent crocheting slippers, which she 
gave to her friends and to hospitals. It was 
said that more than three thousand pairs of 
slippers had been made by her to cover the 
weary feet of unfortunates. 

Mrs. McKinley's remains now rest beside 
those of her husband, in the family tomb at 
Canton. 



CHAPTER X 
Member of Congress 

In 1876 Major McKinley was elected mem- 
ber of the Forty-fifth Congress. The district 
he represented was composed of Stark and 
adjoining counties. In that Congress were 
the following Ohio men who had already 
gained a national reputation : James A. Gar- 
field and Thomas Ewing were in the House, 
and John Sherman and Allen G. Thurman 
in the Senate. 

Rutherford B. Hayes was President. Such 
was the stress of the times that this Congress 
was called in extra session October, 1877. 

The coinage of the silver dollar and tariff 
legislation were the absorbing problems that 
were then before the people, and the solution 
of these problems was among the chief duties 
of Congress. 

Major McKinley soon made a record on 
both of these questions. He stood for sound 
money and protection of American indus- 
tries. His first speech bearing directly on 



lAfe of William, McKinley 51 

the tariff attracted universal attention and 
marked the beginning of his wonderful pop- 
ularity as a statesman. With the exception 
of two years, 1882 and 1883, Major McKinley 
was in Congress from 1876 to 1890; during 
these years he took an active part in all the 
great questions that were before the peo- 
ple — the tariff, the coinage of silver, the 
sacredness of the ballot, and other vital 
questions. 

He served on many important committees. 
In his first term he was on the committee for 
the revision of the laws of the United States. 

In the second term he was placed on a 
committee which had to consider matters 
relating to the federal courts of justice. 

In 1880 he succeeded James A. Garfield as 
member of the Committee on Ways and 
Means. This position he held until the close 
of his congressional career. 

While chairman of this committee he gave 
to the Nation what is known as the McKinley 
Tariff Bill. Of this important work he says: 
'' I was chairman of the committee and per- 
formed my duties as best I could. Some of 



52 liife of William McKinley 

the strongest men in Congress were on the 
committee, and the eight of us heard every- 
body, considered everything, and made up 
the best tariff law we knew how to frame." 

Other important committees on which he 
served were, one to inspect the United States 
Mihtary Academy, and one to conduct the 
Garfield memorial service. Of the latter he 
was chairman. 

James G. Blaine in his ''Twenty Years in 
Congress '' says : " While in Congress, Mc- 
Kinley was a thorough student of industrial 
questions, and soon became known as one of 
the ablest defenders of the doctrine of pro- 
tection." He also says: "He looked well to 
the interests of the people whom he repre- 
sented." 



CHAPTER XI 
Governor of Ohio 

From the halls of Congress Major Mc- 
Kinley was soon to be called to the office of 
chief magistrate of the state of Ohio. He 
was elected to that position in the fall of 
189 1, and after serving one term was re- 
elected in 1893. 

The four years during which he was Gov- 
ernor of Ohio were years of great financial 
depression and labor troubles throughout 
the country. Fifteen times it became neces- 
sary to call out the state troops to preserve 
order. But it was noticeable through this 
trying period that while order was main- 
tained and property protected, no harsh 
measures were used toward either party to 
the disputes. These happy results were 
largely due to the management of Governor 
McKinley. He was impartial in his admin- 
istration, and to the extent of his authority 
carefully guarded the interests of all classes 
of the people. 



54 Life of William McKinley 

He was interested in the management of 
all public institutions, such as schools and 
hospitals for the deaf and dumb, feeble- 
minded, and insane, also the penal and re- 
formatory institutions. These he visited in 
person and did what he could to improve 
their condition. 

He urged, upon the Legislature the impor- 
tance of tax reform, of good roads, of im- 
proving the canal system, and other matters 
of public interest. 

He favored the eight-hour labor S3^stem, 
and arbitration as a means of settling dis- 
putes between the employers and the em- 
ployed, and it was largely due to him that 
the State Board of Arbitration was estab- 
lished in Ohio. 

Governor McKinley was instrumental in 
having placed upon the statute books of 
Ohio some excellent laws relating to acci- 
dents and injuries occurring to persons em- 
ployed in dangerous situations. 

If as a soldier William McKinley w^as 
thoughtful for his fellow soldiers at An- 
tietam, as Governor of Ohio he was equally 



lAfe o/ William McKinley 55 

thoughtful for the suffering of the citizens 
of the state over which he presided. 

At one time there was great destitution 
among the miners of the Hocking Valley. 
It was midnight when he received news that 
many families were in danger of starvation. 
By sunrise a carload of provisions was on 
the way to their relief. 

Says Charles Morris, LL. D.: ''A distinc- 
tive feature of the McKinley administration 
was the absence of red tape and needless 
formalities. In his method of transacting 
business the Governor was concise and cor- 
rect, and in his intercourse with the people, 
though dignified, he was always approach 
able." 



CHAPTER XII 
President of the United States 

The services WilHam McKinley rendered 
his country while in Congress and as Gov- 
ernor of Ohio were fully appreciated by the 
American people, and it seemed fitting in 
return for these services that they should 
bestow upon him the greatest honor within 
their power — that of electing him to the 
position of chief executive of the Nation. 

In presenting his name for that office at 
the St. Louis convention, in 1896, Senator 
Foraker said: " No other name so absolutely 
commands all hearts; that is because all 
American people know him, believe in him, 
love him. They know that he is an American 
of Americans; they know that he is just and 
able and brave, and they want him for 
President." 

The campaign that followed was a most 
exciting one. The McKinley home became 
a veritable Mecca for the thousands of en- 
thusiastic admirers of the future President. 



lAfe of William McKinleij 57 

The crowds did not always enter the house, 
but gathered about it and often overflowed 
the grounds. 

The lawn was soon denuded of its verdure, 
while bits of shrubbery and boards from the 
fence were carried away as souvenirs. A 
buckeye-tree in the back yard proved a mine 
of wealth to the relic seekers, and happy was 
he who could obtain a genuine specimen of 
its product. 

It was within the period of his first presi- 
dential campaign that Mr. McKinley made 
what were called his "porch speeches." They 
were so named because he uttered them 
while standing on the porch of his home. 
Eager throngs listened to those speeches, 
which were many and varied and included 
all the great issues that were then before the 
people. 

A near relative and friend of Mr. Mc- 
Kinley, who resided at Canton, and who was 
frequently present at those meetings, says 
that it was remarkable how long he could 
hold the attention of his audience without 
resorting to amusing anecdotes or witty say- 



58 z,ife of William McKinley 

ings; that while among his home friends and 
in private social circles he was always lively 
and frequently witty, those traits were rarely 
shown on the public rostrum. 

Possibly the themes he had to deal with 
had much to do with his manner of present- 
ing them. They were such as required care- 
ful thought and logical reasoning to give 
them force and send them home to the hearts 
of his hearers. But whatever the cause, his 
manner of treating prosy themes was both 
interesting and effective. Nor was his chain 
of reasoning ever broken by any unusual dis- 
turbance while speaking. The following in- 
stance well illustrates this, as also his love 
and thoughtfulness for children. 

Upon the occasion of a notable gathering 
at his home and while in the midst of a 
speech, a little girl from the neighborhood 
attempted to make her way to the scene of 
action by climbing the fence. She was caught 
by her clothing and, unable to extricate her- 
self, cried for help. No one in the audience 
paid any attention to her, but as soon as her 
cries reached the ears of Mr. McKinley he 



lAfe of William McKinley 59 

Stopped speaking and went to her rescue. 
The terrified child was quickly soothed and 
placed in a seat on the porch near the 
speaker. The latter at once took up the 
thread of his discourse where he left off and 
proceeded as though nothing had happened. 

At the election, November, 1896, over 
seven million voters testified by their ballots 
that William McKinley was their choice for 
President, and on March 4, 1897, he assumed 
the duties of that exalted office. 

It was a time of great business depression. 
Factories were closed and thousands of 
laborers were idle. 

The President at once convened Congress 
in extra session. This body, acting upon his 
wise suggestions, passed laws which soon 
led to more hopeful conditions throughout 
the country. The wheels of industry were 
set in motion, commerce revived, and the 
Nation entered upon a career of prosperity 
unsurpassed in its previous history. 

Aside from the revival of the great indus- 
tries the principal events of President Mc- 
Kinley's first administration were the annex- 



60 JLife of William McKinley 

ation of Hawaii, and the Spanish-American 
war. 

The details of the war will not be given 
here, but its results led to the supervision of 
our government over Porto Rico, Cuba, the 
Ladrones and the Philippines ; and to the 
annexation or possession of all but Cuba. 

Another excellent result was a more har- 
monious feeling between the two sections of 
the countrv, the North and the South. No 
sooner did the cloud of a foreign war hang 
over the Nation than all felt that they had 
but one country, one flag. 

Aside from Abraham Lincoln few Presi- 
dents have had a more trying administration 
than William McKinley during his first term. 
The business depression, the money ques- 
tion, the Spanish-American war, the Boxer 
troubles in China, and the adjustment of our 
island possessions, all gave rise to bitter par- 
tisan feeling, and required the exercise of 
great tact and wisdom on the part of the 
chief executive. 

During these years of heavy official bur- 
dens he ever continued the same patient, 



Life of William McKinley 61 

kiiidly man — sympathetic, obliging, self- 
sacrificing. 

But while possessed to an eminent degree 
of these beautiful traits of character, it is 
noticeable that in all his dealings with for- 
eign nations he was ever firm in upholding 
the dignity and honor of the country over 
\\ hich he presided. 

In the peace negotiations between this 
country and Spain the tact and wisdom dis- 
played by the President did much to allay 
the bitterness between the two countries, 
and in the settlement of the Boxer troubles 
in China, respect for this Government was 
greatly enhanced among the world's powers 
by the judicious course of President Mc- 
Kinley. 

Such was the confidence of the people in 
his administration that his name was the 
second time presented as candidate for the 
high office he had so admirably filled. At 
the Philadelphia convention in June, 1900, 
amid the greatest enthusiasm he was unani- 
mously chosen the national standard bearer 
of his country for another term. 



62 Life of William McKinley 



At the election which followed he received 
over one hundred thousand more votes than 
were given him four years before. 

When William McKinley took the oath of 
office for the second time, March 4, 1901, the 
country was at peace, and the bow of promise 
gave no indications of future disaster. 

Soon after his second inauguration, in 
company with his wife and several high offi- 
cials, the President started on a western 
tour. But on reaching San Francisco, the 
serious illness of Mrs. McKinley caused its 
abandonment and the party returned to 
Washington by the shortest route. The tour, 
so far as accomplished, proved one continu- 
ous ovation for the President. 

In all the large cities and more important 
towns where he stopped the people turned 
out en masse and greeted him with the 
greatest delight and enthusiasm. The 
speeches he made on these occasions are 
considered not only valuable as state papers, 
but as literary productions as well. 

The following interesting incidents are 



lAfe of William McKinley 63 

related of William McKinley while Presi- 
dent: 

At the close of the first presidential inau- 
guration crowds of people forced their way to 
the new President to shake hands with him, 
or to ask some favor of him ; while the crowd, 
composed mostly of men, surged about him, 
he saw in the distance an old lady evidently 
burdened with some weight of sorrow. 
Waving his hand he said, " Gentlemen, ex- 
cuse me, but I see back there in the crowd an 
old lady evidently in trouble and I must go 
to her." 

He at once pressed his way through the 
crowd to the woman's side, and the smiles 
on her face soon bore evidence of the magical 
effects of his kindly words. 

The red carnation was Mr. McKinley's 
favorite flower, and he always wore one 
fastened in the lapel of his coat. During the 
years of his presidency a bouquet of these 
flowers usually stood on a table in the public 
reception-room of the White House. If a 
visitor expressed a desire for one of them, 
the President at once exchanged the one he 



64 JLife of William McKinley 



wore for a fresh one from the vase, and gave 
the first to his guest. The fact that he wore 
the flower greatly enhanced its value as a 



gift. 



CHAPTER XIII 
President's Day 

1 he principal event in this country in the 
summer of 1901 was the Pan-American Ex- 
position, at Buffalo. Its objects were to 
strengthen relations already existing and to 
further the interests of trade and commerce 
among the nations represented. 

From the first, President McKinley had 
been an earnest promoter of the enterprise, 
and it seemed fitting that a President's Day 
should have a prominent place on the pro- 
gram of events to occur on the exposition 
grounds. 

On the day appointed, September 5, the 
sky was cloudless, the birds sang, and cooling- 
breezes rendered the air delightful. Oh, who 
could have foreseen the dreadful tragedy 
that was so soon to cloud all in gloom! 

In honor of the occasion the city was 
decked in gala attire. ''Welcome!" "Wel- 
come ! " were the words upon hundreds of 
flags and banners, fluttering in the breeze. 



^ I/ife of William McKinley 

Mounted policemen, members of the Signal 
Corps, and United States marines escorted 
the President to the exposition grounds. At 
the entrance he was greeted with a salute of 
twenty-one guns, and while passing thence 
to the platform which had been erected on the 
esplanade, and from which he was to speak, 
the air rang with cheers from the vast con- 
course of people who had assembled to greet 
the Nation's chief. 

Seated near the platform were many dis- 
tinguished people, representatives of the 
various American governments. 

When President Milburn of the Exposi- 
tion rose to introduce the exalted guest the 
vast audience was for a moment silenced. 
But no sooner did he utter the words, "The 
President," than the welkin resounded with 
prolonged cheering. When silence was re- 
stored. President McKinley gave utterance 
to an address which is regarded as the ablest 
of all he had ever given ; an address which has 
had much to do with shaping the Nation's 
policy since, and which will doubtless con- 
tinue to influence its future course. 



Life of William McKinley 67 

He spoke of the pleasure he felt at being 
again in the city of Buffalo, where he had 
been so hospitably entertained and so cor- 
dially received by the people. 

He extended words of greeting to the rep- 
resentatives of foreign governments present, 
and congratulated the managers of the Ex- 
position on the success of their work. 

He spoke of the benefits resulting from 
expositions, financial, social and educational. 

He dwelt upon the growth, prosperity and 
greatness of our own country, and the neces- 
sity of maintaining such conditions as would 
contribute to its future advancement; and 
declared that while competition in trade and 
business is natural and proper, men should 
not be enemies in business. The meaning 
of all of which is that they should '' live and 
let live." 

He especially emphasized the importance 
of peaceful trade relations with all nations. 
''Reciprocity" wherever possible, was the 
keynote of this great speech. 

He favored the settling of international 
disputes by arbitration. 



68 Life of William McKinley 

He pleaded for a more adequate steamship 
service, for an Isthmian canal, and a Pacific 
cable. 

He paid a high tribute to the late James G. 
Blaine, and closed with the petition that God 
would grant to our own, to all neighboring 
nations, and all the peoples of the earth, 
"prosperity, happiness and peace." 

This, his last and greatest speech, was 
most favorably received everywhere. The 
leading newspapers of the country, without 
regard to party, commented favorably upon 
it, and it has had much to do with molding 
the Nation's destiny since. 



CHAPTER XIV 
A Nation's Loss 

On the afternoon of the following day, 
September 6, the President held a public re- 
ception in the Temple of Music. While 
receiving he stood on the platform in front 
of the great organ, on the east side of the 
building. 

President Milburn, of the Exposition, was 
at his right and was introducing the people. 
Secretary Cortelyou was at his left, and all 
about him were secret service officers, who 
were there for the purpose of preventing any 
disaster, but who little dreamed that an 
assassin was to approach in the guise of a 
friend. 

The building was crowded, and outside 
were hundreds of people waiting to take the 
hand of their beloved President. 

In the midst of all this joy and gladness a 
pistol shot was distinctly heard above the 
hum of voices which filled the room. There 
was a moment of silence, and then it was 



70 liife of William McKinley 

discovered that it was President McKinley 
at whom the shot was fired. 

Immediately there was great commotion, 
and had it not been for the agonized plea, 
"Let no one hurt him!" the assassin might 
have met a violent death then and there. 

The stricken President was at once taken 
to the Exposition hospital and his wound 
examined. It was thought to be dangerous, 
yet there was hope. Thence a few hours 
later he was removed to the Milburn home, 
where he had been a guest of honor since 
coming to the city. Here sorrowing friends 
hastily gathered from all parts of the coun- 
try, and here the stricken one, beloved by an 
entire nation, honored by the intelligent and 
good all over the world, lingered until the 
morning of the 14th, when he passed peace- 
fully away. His last words were, " It is God's 
way. His will be done." 

During those days of watchfulness and 
anxiety everything that love could prompt 
and skill devise was done with the hope that 
the exalted sufferer might be restored to 
health. 



lAfe of William McKinley 71 

So great were the hopes of the Nation that 
at every favorable turn of the patient's symp- 
toms there vs^as rejoicing throughout the 
country. 

So encouraging were the physicians' re- 
ports on Thursday, the 12th, that special 
services of praise and thanksgiving were 
held in many places. 

But the love of friends, the skill of physi- 
cians, and the prayers of an entire nation, 
were not sufficient to prolong the life of 
William McKinley. His work was finished. 
He entered upon his final rest. 

Among the mourners, who during those 
sad days gathered at the Milburn home, none 
were more sincere than Vice-President 
Roosevelt. And when the burden of gov- 
ernment fell upon him he gave his word that, 
as far as lay within his power, he would 
fulfill the wishes of him whose voice was 
now silenced forever. 

President Roosevelt kept his promise and, 
in so doing, caused the Nation's hopes to be 
realized. All the people had reason to be 



72 Ijife of William McKinley 



thankful that so good a man occupied the 
place made vacant by the tragical death of 
William McKinley. 



CHAPTER XV 
Obsequies 

Elaborate and appropriate obsequies were 
held, beginning Sunday, September 15, at 
the Milburn home in Buffalo, with a simple 
service of prayer. Scripture reading and the 
singing of the President's favorite hymns, 
" Lead, Kindly Light," and '" Nearer, My 
God, to Thee." 

The casket was richly draped in black, and 
bore this simple inscription on a silver plate: 

WILLIAM McKINLEY 

Born January 29, 1843 
Died September 14, 1901 

Over the foot of the casket an American 
flag hung in graceful folds, while beautiful 
flowers in rich profusion, the gift of people 
from all parts of the country, bore testimony 
of love. 

At the close of these services, the bodv 
was taken to the city hall, where it lay in 
state and was viewed by thousands of sym- 
pathetic mourning people. 



74 lAfe of William McKinley 

On the following morning it was conveyed 
to Washington, D. C, where services of a 
more national character were held. 

It is estimated that while on the way from 
Buffalo to the national capital, one million 
people looked upon the coffin in which were 
inclosed the mortal remains of their beloved 
President. 

Schools were dismissed, farms and shops 
were deserted, and the people gathered at all 
available points along the line on the railroad 
over which the funeral cortege passed. 

Flags draped in mourning hung at half 
mast from every home and store along the 
route. These, with the faces of the people, 
bore evidence of the universal mourning into 
which the Nation was plunged. 

The services at Washington were held be- 
neath the dome of the Capitol, and were 
attended by high state officials, representa- 
tives of foreign governments, and members 
of various civic orders. Bishop Andrews, of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, pronounced 
the eulogium. At the close of the services, 
sixty thousands people passed in mournful 



Life of William, McKinley 75 

file by the casket, and thousands more stood 
reverently waiting when the doors were 
closed. 

The last and most impressive services were 
at the home city, Canton, Ohio. From Wash- 
ington to this point, twenty cars were re- 
quired to transport the funeral party. 

Along the route the same scenes were 
enacted as had been witnessed between 
Buffalo and Washington. Though the jour- 
ney occurred in the night, at every station 
crowds were gathered to pay their last 
tribute to the honored dead. 

On arriving in Canton the body was taken 
to the court-house, where it lay in state until 
evening. Here it was again looked upon by 
thousands of people who were mourners in- 
deed. From the court-house it was removed 
to his home, where it remained until the final 
services, which were held in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which President Mc- 
Kinley had been long a member. 

His pew, draped in mourning, was vacant. 
Aside from that, every available place in the 
church was occupied. 



Id Life of William McKinley 



There were present the same official repre- 
sentatives as at Washington, and also the 
same company of relatives; but here old 
friends and neighbors w^ere given the place 
of honor in the company of distinguished 
mourners. 

Outside the church, sorrowful throngs 
crowded the grounds, the streets, and neigh- 
boring lawns. The city was one vast mass 
of mourning humanity that had come from 
all parts of the state, all parts of the country, 
to do honor to him who was to be laid away 
out of their sight forever. 

At the close of the services at the church 
the body of President William McKinley was 
conveyed to Westlawn Cemetery, between 
two solid files of men, women and children, 
many of whom manifested their grief by 
convulsive sobbing and weeping. 

The gray stone vault that was to receive 
the honored dead was literally banked with 
masses of beautiful flowers. 

At the entrance the procession paused 
while Bishop Joyce read the burial service 



lAfe of William McKinley 77 

and eight bugles sounded the notes of the 
soldier's requiem for the dead. 

And now occurred one of the most singular 
incidents ever recorded in the world's history. 

By request of President Roosevelt, that 
day, September 19, was set apart as one of 
universal mourning. Wherever our flag 
waved it was draped in black, and hung at 
half mast. In all the large cities of the Union 
impressive services were held at the same 
hour as those at Canton. 

At the moment when the casket was being 
lowered into the tomb there was a solemn 
hush throughout the country. Telegraph 
lines were silenced. Street cars stopped run- 
ning, and for five minutes nearly all human 
activities ceased. 

Not only was there mourning in this coun- 
try, but it extended throughout the world. 

In many of the great cathedrals of the Old 
World, in London, Paris, Berlin, and St. 
Petersburg, impressive religious services 
were held. All denominations, Roman Cath- 
olics, Protestants and Jews joined in these 
services, thus showing that the religion of 



78 JLife of Williant McKinley 



him whom they honored was of that divine 
type which alone can lead men in the path 
of duty and righteousness. 

The remains of President McKinley lie in 
the cemetery at Canton, where a beautiful 
monument has been erected to his memory. 
The place is annually visited by thousands 
of people, who come to pay their respects to 
one who devoted his life to the service of his 
country. 



CHAPTER XVI 

Extracts from Public Speeches 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN 

Lincoln had sublime faith in the people. 
He walked with and among them. . . . Even 
amid the vicissitudes of war he concealed 
little from public review and inspection. In 
all he did he invited rather than evaded ex- 
amination and criticism. He submitted his 
plans and purposes, as far as practicable, to 
public consideration with perfect frankness 
and sincerity. There was such homely sim- 
plicity in his character that it could not be 
hedged in by pomp of place nor the cere- 
monials of high official station. He was so 
accessible to the public that he seemed to 
take the people into his confidence. Here 
perhaps was one secret of his power. . . . 
His patience was almost superhuman. And 
who will say that he was mistaken in his 
treatment of the thousands who thronged 
continually about him? 



80 Life of William McKinley 



A COMPARISON OF WASHINGTON AND 

LINCOLN 

The greatest names in American history 
are Washington and Lincoln. . . . These 
illustrious men achieved grander results for 
mankind within a single century from 1775 
to 1865, than any other men ever accom- 
plished in all the years since first the flight 
of time began. Washington drew his sword 
not for a change of rulers upon an estab- 
lished throne, but to establish a new govern- 
ment which should acknowledge no throne 
but the tribune of the people. Lincoln ac- 
cepted war to save the Union, the safeguard 
of our liberties. . . . Each lived to accom- 
plish his appointed task. Each received the 
unbounded gratitude of the people of his 
time and each is held in great and ever 
increasing reverence by posterity. 

ULYSSES S. GRANT 

His private life was beautiful in its purity 
and simplicity. No irreverent oath passed 
his lips, and his conversation was as chaste 
and unaffected as that of simple childhood. 



lAfe of waiiam McKinley 81 



His relations with his family were tender and 
affectionate, and with officers, cordial and 
considerate. He was a typical American, 
free from ostentation, easily approached. His 
whole life gave proof of his nationality — a 
man from the people, of the people, for the 
people, and never above the people. 

JAMES A. GARFIELD 

His broad and benevolent nature made 
him a friend of all mankind. He loved the 
young men of the country and drew them 
to him by the thoughtful concern with which 
he regarded them. As a citizen he loved his 
country and her institutions, and was proud 
of her progress and prosperity. As a scholar 
and man of letters he took high rank. As 
an orator, he was exceptionally strong and 
gifted. As a soldier he stood abreast with 
the bravest and best of the citizen soldiery 
of the Republic. As a legislator, his most 
enduring testimonial will be found in the 
records of Congress and the statutes of his 
country. As President, he displayed moder- 
ation and wisdom with executive ability 



82 Life of William McKinley 

which gave the highest assurance of a most 
successful and illustrious administration. 

JOHN A. LOGAN 

His creed was his country. Patriotism the 
sole plank of his platform. ... He was 
every inch a soldier, dashing and fearless. 
. . . Wherever the fire was the hottest, 
wherever the line was most exposed, wher- 
ever the danger was most imminent, John A. 
Logan was always to be found. . . . His pa- 
triotic words penetrated the hearts and 
homes of the people of twenty-two States, 
arousing a deep and profound love for coun- 
try and a strong and lasting sentiment for 
the cause of the Union. He advocated the 
most generous bounties and pensions for the 
brave men who risked all for their country. 
, . . The old soldiers will miss him. . . . The 
old veterans have lost their steady friend. 
The Congress of the United States has lost 
one of its ablest counselors, the Republican 
party one of its confessed leaders, the country 
•one of its noble defenders. 



Life of William McKinley 83 



EDUCATION 

The young men and women who succeed 
nowadays must succeed because of superior 
knowledge. This is an age of exactness. 
What you know you must know well and 
thoroughly, and to reach prominence you 
must know it better than anybody else. It 
will not do to know a thing half any longer. 
. . . The only way to acquire knowledge is 
to labor. There is no substitute for it. The 
best time to get it is when you are young. 
To use a homely but expressive phrase, " You 
must hoe your own row." Don't try to 
master too many things. A few things of 
which you are thoroughly master give you 
better equipment for life's struggles than a 
whole arsenal of half-mastered, half-matured 
things. 

No college can make you great, no univer- 
sity can make you successful. These achieve- 
ments, and it is a common experience of 
mankind, depend upon yourself. 

We cannot have too much of an education 
if it be of the right kind, and if it be rightly 



84 Life of William McKinley 

applied it is of estimable value to the citizen 
in every v^alk and branch of life. 

LABOR 
We owe something to the care, the eleva- 
tion, the dignity and the education of labor. 
We owe something to the working men and 
the families of the working men throughout 
the United States, who constitute the large 
body of our population, and this bill favoring 
the eight-hour law is a step in the right 

direction. 

Nowhere in the world has the cause of 
labor, its rights and its dignities, been more 
triumphant than in the United States. Labor 
here is free and independent ; slave labor has 
been abolished, and the workman makes his 
own contracts and enters only into voluntary 
employment. He is his own master; no man 
owns his laborer. He is respected and hon- 
ored in every walk of life, he has by merit 
forged his way to the very front rank in 
mechanism, and his trophies are seen on 

everv hand. 

American workmen are as a body the most 
ingenious and intelligent of the world. 



Life of William McKinley 85 

THE HOME 

If I were called upon to say what in my 
opinion constitutes the strength and security 
and integrity of the Government, I would 
say the American home. It lies at the very 
beginning and foundation of a pure national 
life. The good home makes the good citizen, 
and the good citizen makes wholesome public 
sentiment. Good government follows. 

If the home life is pure, sincere and good, 
the child is usually well prepared to receive 
all the advantages and inspirations of a more 
advanced education. The American home, 
where honesty, sobriety and truth preside, 
and a simple every-day virtue without pomp 
and ostentation is practiced, is the nursery 
of all true education. Out of such homes 
usually come the men and women who make 
our citizenship pure and elevated, and the 
state and the nation long and enduring. 

RELIGION 

No man gets on so well in this world as he 
whose daily walk and conversation are clean 
and consistent, whose heart is pure, and 



86 Life of William McKinley 

whose life is honorable. A religious spirit 
helps every man. It is at once a comfort and 
inspiration, and makes him stronger, wiser 
and better, in every relation of life. There is 
no substitute for it. 

It has stood the test of centuries and has 
never failed to help and bless mankind. 

The world has use for the young man who 
is well grounded in principle, who has rever- 
ence for truth and religion, and courageously 
follows their teachings. 

The men who established this government 
had faith in God and sublimely trusted in 
Him. They besought His counsel and advice 
in every step in their progress. And so it has 
been ever since; American history abounds 
in instances of this trait of piety, this sincere 
reliance on a Higher Power in all great trials 
in our national affairs. 

SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE 

His intellectual and physical faculties were 
marvelous. He retained his mental faculties 
until the last. After he was eighty years old 
in the interest of his race and humanity he 



Life of William 31cKinley 87 



made four great journeys, two to Jerusalem, 
one to Roumania, and one to Russia. He 
was always doing good. . . . He was broad- 
minded, not bigoted, loving his race, and 
believing in it, and yet helping Gentile as 
well as Jew. . . . He assisted in every way 
to the elevation of all races and all colors 
of men. 

AT THE DEDICATION OF GRANT'S TOMB 

A great life, dedicated to the welfare of 
the Nation, here finds its earthly corona- 
tion. . . . 

With Washington and Lincoln, Grant had 
an exalted place in the history and the affec- 
tions of the American people. Today his 
memory is held in equal esteem by those 
whom he led to victory and by those who 
accepted his generous terms of peace. 

New York holds in its keeping the precious 
dust of the silent soldier. 

But what he and his brave comrades 
wrought for mankind is in the keeping of 
seventy million of American citizens, who 



88 Life of William McKinley 

will guard the sacred heritage forever and 
forevermore. 

ON EXPOSITIONS 

Expositions are the timekeepers of prog- 
ress. They record the world's advancement. 
They stimulate the energy, enterprise and 
intellect of the people, and quicken human 
genius. 

They go into the home. They broaden and 
brighten the daily life of the people. They 
open the mighty storehouses of information 
to the student. Every exposition, great or 
small, has helped to some onward step. 

ON OUR MERCHANT MARINE 

We must have more ships. They must be 
under the American flag, built and manned 
and owned by Americans. These will not 
be profitable in a commercial sense ; they will 
be messengers of peace and amity wherever 
they go. 

ON MANUFACTORIES 

They bring coins for everybody who will 
work. Comfort and contentment for all 
deserving people. 



CHAPTER XVII 
Opinions of Noted Men 

" In his ambition and in his work, he was a man 
among men — living for others as he understood their 
needs." — A. T. Hadley, Yale University. 

" He lived and he died nobly — always a sage and a 
soldier, and now a saint." — John Wanamaker. 

" He loved his native land, and used his life to serve 
her larger growth in strength and fame." — 6". W. 
Small. 

" He was pure, simple, genial and kind." — Dr. 

Angell, Michigan University. 

*' He was a friend of education in every form." — 
N . R. Harper, Chicago University. 

" The candidate of a party, he was the President of 
an entire people." — A. E. Stephenson, former Vice- 
President, 

" His pilot stars were Truth and Loyalty." — John 
iV. Griggs, ex-Attorney-General. 

" He leaves an unblemished record in public and 
private life." — Sec. John D. Long. 



90 i,ife of William McKinley 

" All our people loved their dead President." — 
Grover Cleveland. 

" He held a position among the rulers of the world 
which no other of our Presidents filled." — Chauncey 
M. Depezv. 

" By common consent, he honored the whole human 
race, and all the race will honor him." — /. B. Foraker. 

" He was a true man, honest, pure of morals, gen- 
erous-minded, conscientious, religious." — Archbishop 
Ireland. 

" His domestic virtues were worthy of all praise." — 
Cardinal Gibbons. 



" He was gentle in spirit, and kind in word and 
deed." — W. J. Bryan. 

" He was sincere, plain and honest, just, benevolent 
and kind." — Rev. Dr. Manchester. 

" It is a beautiful thing that to the end of his life he 
bent reverently before that mother whose example and 
teaching and prayer had so fashioned his mind and all 
his aims." — Bishop Andrews. 

The late General John B. Gordon in his " Remi- 
niscences of the Civil War " says of WilHam McKinley 
that he possessed a peculiarly winning and magnetic 
presence, which few men have. 



President McKinley's 
Favorite Hymns 



Nearer, My God, to Thee 

Nearer, my God, to Thee, 

Nearer to Thee ; 
E'en tho' it be a cross 

That raiseth me, 
Still all my song shall be — 
Nearer, my God, to Thee! 
Nearer, my God, to Thee! 

Nearer to Thee ! 

Tho' like a wanderer, 
The sun gone down. 

Darkness be over me, 
My rest a stone, 

Yet in my dreams I'd be 

Nearer, my God, to Thee! 

Nearer, my God, to Thee ! 
Nearer to Thee! 

There let the way appear 
Steps unto Heaven; 

All that Thou sendest me. 
In mercy given ; 

Angels to beckon me 

Nearer, my God, to Thee! 

Nearer, my God, to Thee! 
Nearer to Thee! 



94 lAfe of William McKinley 

Then with my waking tho'ts 
Bright with Thy praise, 

Out of my stony griefs 
Bethel I'll raise; 

So by my woes to be 

Nearer, my God, to Thee! 

Nearer, my God, to Thee! 
Nearer to Thee! 

Or if, on joyful wing. 

Cleaving the sky. 
Sun, moon, and stars forgot. 

Upward I fly. 
Still all my song shall be 
Nearer, my God, to Thee! 
Nearer, my God, to Thee! 

Nearer to Thee! 

Lead, Kindly Light 

Lead, kindly Light, amid th' encircling gloom, 

Lead Thou me on ; 
The night is dark, and I am far from home, 

Lead Thou me on. 
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see 
The distant scene; one step enough for me. 

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou 

Shouldst lead me on; 
I loved to choose and see my path ; but now 

Lead Thou me on. 



Life of William McKinley 



95 



I loved the garish day ; and, spite of fears, 
Pride ruled my will ; remember not past years. 

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still 

Will lead me on 
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till 

The night is gone. 
And with the morn those angel faces smile, 
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile. 



In Memoriam — President McKinley 

When we remember thee, our gracious friend — 

'Tis not harsh sorrow, but a tenderer woe 

That binds thee to us, that makes the heart o'erflow 

With fondest memories. With reverent 

Heads we bowed to the inevitable end, 

For Death, the conqueror, full well we know 

Enters no tournament with cowardly blow. 

Thou wast so full of life, yet Death did blend 

The discord in the harmonies of life. 

Our fruitless tears have bathed thy honored bier, 

The couch of lowly sleep is thy abode ; 

The goal is reached, the race is run, the strife, 

The pilgrimage, so well begun, will cheer 

Us onward, upward, on our rugged road. 

Full bravely didst thou turn life's varied page ; 
Thy sturdy truth and courage did not fail ; 
Naught of the craven is there in thy trail, 
But glorious victories our heritage. 
Thy mighty spirit is eclipsed. No age 
Can boast a nobler. None dare assail 
Thy right to tribute, neither to curtail 
By jot or tittle; 'tis only thy just wage. 
For thou wert fashioned in heroic mold; 
A master thou hast been to emulate. 



Life of William McKinley 97 

A champion of honor and of worth, 
Pure in thy purpose, vigorous and bold, 
Strong in thy sorrow, thy chivalry innate — 
Fulfilled has been the promise of thy birth. 

Relentless fate sweeps on, the strongest fall — 

But yesterday it seems we saw thy face 

And watched thee, as thou stoodst in public place 

And heard thy counsels wise, in justice hall. 

To friends thou wert a friend, yet kind to all; 

Thy adversary's lance in any race 

Ne'er crossed thine own, but thou wouldst feel disgrace 

If not the open that didst make him fall. 

No prize could swerve thee from thy just intent — 

A world's acclaim was counted nothing gained ; 

Sound to the core and sturdy wast thou made ; 

Girded, thou stood against the winds nor bent ; 

Proud of thy 'scutcheon, untarnished, and unstained, 

Thy honor gained for thee exalted grade. 

A common grief is ours, a common loss. 

No more thy fiery eloquence will bring 

Home to our hearts the truths from which they spring. 

Time will assuage the grief, the bitter cross, 

Our hearts by sorrow's fire refined from dross ; 

And though the wound be healed, the scar may sting, 

Yet still the fragrance of thy life will cling 

Sending benignant influence across. 

The matchless dialogue, the flashing wit, 

The will indomitable to maintain 



98 Zdfe of William McKinley 

The right in truth's just cause — beyond our ken 
Just as the light a quenched star may transmit 
For ages traveling downward, so may again 
The light thou left shine on the paths of men. 

O Friend! forever loved, forever dear! 

When at thy side the Messenger Divine 

Descended and low whispered, "Thou art mine,' 

A sudden gloom fell on us and a fear. 

We knew how we should miss thee, how severe 

The cross would be ; how our love didst entwine 

Around thee, and then we knew the gain was thine, 

And knowing felt resigned. Thou art not here ! 

From leaf to leaf the night-winds softly creep 

Across thy bed and sing a requiem ; 

In sweet refrain the everlasting hills 

Repeat, " He giveth his beloved sleep — 

Thy faithful quest has earned a diadem," 

And " Peace " is echoed 'til the woodland fills. 

— Mary H. M. Schutt, 



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